California ski resorts in the Sierras tend to receive their snow in big doses measured in feet with long sunny stretches in between storms. As a result, one big storm cycle can significantly change the complexion of a season. The Tahoe resorts were not suffering through an extreme drought like that of a few years back, but the season had not been particularly stellar either. However, one of those big storms this past week dramatically improved the season’s snowpack.

Squaw Valley/ Alpine Meadows

PHOTO CREDIT: Jeff Engerbretson, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows

In the nine days through Sunday, March 4, Squaw Valley on the west side of Lake Tahoe racked up 105 inches of new snow. For the math challenged, that’s just shy of 9 feet. The new snow brought the season cumulative total at an elevation of 8,000 feet to 243 inches. Squaw Valley reported a base snow depth of 125 inches on the upper mountain. Not surprisingly, skiers and boarders are reporting the best conditions of the season.

Mammoth Mountain

PHOTO CREDIT: Mammoth Mountain

Farther south in the Sierras, Mammoth Mountain registered 84 inches of new snow at its summit for the entire storm. The fresh snow raised the summit’s cumulative season total to 270 inches with a base depth of 130 inches. The resort’s snow report heralds the fresh powder conditions that will translate into good skiing and riding going into March.

Big Sky Resort

PHOTO CREDIT: Ed Coyle, Big Sky Resort

Big Sky Resort did not have quite the recent snow totals to start March as the California resorts, but the Montana resort is still worth investigating for a destination visit during this 2017-18 ski season. Big Sky had just about a foot of new snow for the week ending Sunday, March 4. However, in a year when some regions have struggled relative to norms, the snowpack at Big Sky sits well above its average. According to OpenSnow.com, the base depth was at 145 percent of average as of late February. On Sunday, March 4, the resort reported a very healthy base of 94 inches on the upper mountain and 63 inches at mid-mountain.